by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 4, 2019 | Evangelium
St. John Neumann,
This American saint was born in Bohemia in 1811. John was appointed bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. Fluent in many languages, he was dedicated to helping the poor and most abandoned. John died on January 5, 1860 at the age of 48.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Gal 4: 4-5
God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who were pleased to shine forth with new light through the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form through the child-bearing of the Virgin Mary, so we, too, may one day merit to become companions in his kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading 1 John 3:11-21
This is the message as you heard it from the beginning: that we are to love one another; not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One and cut his brother’s throat; cut his brother’s throat simply for this reason, that his own life was evil and his brother lived a good life. You must not be surprised, brothers, when the world hates you; we have passed out of death and into life, and of this we can be sure because we love our brothers. If you refuse to love, you must remain dead; to hate your brother is to be a murderer, and murderers, as you know, do not have eternal life in them. This has taught us love –that he gave up his life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers. If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods saw that one of his brothers was in need, but closed his heart to him, how could the love of God be living in him? My children, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active; only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence, whatever accusations it may raise against us, because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything. My dear people, if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience, we need not be afraid in God’s presence.
Psalm 99 100:1-5
R/ Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
1.Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.
2.Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
3.Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
4.Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.
Gospel Acclamation: Heb 1:1-2
Alleluia, alleluia!At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:43-51
After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who give us the gift of true prayer and of peace, graciously grant that, through this offering, we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty and, by partaking of the sacred mystery, we may be faithfully united in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn. 1: 16
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Prayer after Communion
May your people, O Lord, whom you guide and sustain in many ways, experience, both now and in the future, the remedies which you bestow, that, with the needed solace of things that pass away, they may strive with ever deepened trust for things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
After Andrew and Simon, Philip and Nathanael are the next to become followers of Jesus. They respond to Jesus’ invitation: “Follow me.” They are able to see in Jesus something that they do not see in others. After meeting Jesus, Andrew told his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” Philip realises that Jesus is the one Moses and the prophets wrote about. Nathanael recognises Jesus as the Son of God and the king of Israel. Jesus invites us, just as he invited them, to follow him. And following Jesus means taking on a new life, a life driven by love. When we hate, when we are jealous, when we exploit, we destroy our brothers, just like Cain killed his brother. However, when we love, when we show concern and sympathy, when we show mercy and seek justice, we give life, just as Jesus gave life to us. Let us become followers of Jesus; let us love one another.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 3, 2019 | Evangelium
saturday 04 JANUARY 2020
St Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 – 1821)
he was born in New York into an Episcopalian family, who ostracized her and left her penniless when she became a Catholic in 1805. Seton was the first native-born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
White
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Gal 4: 4-5
God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who were pleased to shine forth with new light through the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that, just as he was pleased to share our bodily form through the child-bearing of the Virgin Mary, so we, too, may one day merit to become companions in his kingdom of grace. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 John 3:7-10
My children, do not let anyone lead you astray: to live a holy life is to be holy just as he is holy; to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil, since the devil was a sinner from the beginning. It was to undo all that the devil has done that the Son of God appeared. No one who has been begotten by God sins; because God’s seed remains inside him, he cannot sin when he has been begotten by God. In this way we distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil: anybody not living a holy life and not loving his brother is no child of God’s.
Psalm 97:1,7-9
R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
- Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
- Let the sea and all within it thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy
- At the presence of the Lord: for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 1:14,12
Alleluia, alleluia! The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 1:35-42
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher –’where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour. One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who give us the gift of true prayer and of peace, graciously grant that, through this offering, we may do fitting homage to your divine majesty and, by partaking of the sacred mystery, we may be faithfully united in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Jn 1: 16
From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
Prayer after Communion
May your people, O Lord, whom you guide and sustain in many ways, experience, both now and in the future, the remedies which you bestow, that, with the needed solace of things that pass away, they may strive with ever deepened trust for things eternal. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today, John the Baptist tells his disciples to abandon him and follow Jesus for he is the ‘Lamb of God.’ John saw his role as that of pointing the way to Christ. Our life is to reflect this same virtue of pointing the way to Christ. When Andrew was called he did not think only of himself. The first thing he did was to seek out his brother Simon and tell him. That is the spirit of community, the spirit of the Church. We never stand alone in our relationship with God. It is a relationship we enjoy in union with all the members of the Church.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 3, 2019 | Evangelium
St Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 – 1821)
She was born in New York into an Episcopalian family, who ostracized her and left her penniless when she became a Catholic in 1805. Seton was the first native born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
White
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 111: 4
A light has risen in the darkness for the upright of heart; the Lord is generous, merciful and just.
Collect
Cast your kindly light upon your faithful, Lord, we pray, and with the splendour of your glory set their hearts ever aflame, that they may never cease to acknowledge their Saviour and may truly hold fast to him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading 1 John 3:7-10
My children, do not let anyone lead you astray: to live a holy life is to be holy just as he is holy; to lead a sinful life is to belong to the devil, since the devil was a sinner from the beginning. It was to undo all that the devil has done that the Son of God appeared. No one who has been begotten by God sins; because God’s seed remains inside him, he cannot sin when he has been begotten by God. In this way we distinguish the children of God from the children of the devil: anybody not living a holy life and not loving his brother is no child of God’s.
Psalm 97 (98) :1, 7-9
R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
1. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.
2. Let the sea and all within it, thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands and the hills ring out their joy
3. At the presence of the Lord: for he comes, he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn. 1:14,12
Alleluia, alleluia!The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. To all who received him he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:35-42
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God.’ Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, ‘What do you want?’ They answered, ‘Rabbi,’ – which means Teacher –’where do you live?’ ‘Come and see’ he replied; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour. One of these two who became followers of Jesus after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas’ – meaning Rock.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: 1 Jn 4: 9
By this the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his Only Begotten Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.
Prayer after Communion
O God, who touch us through our partaking of your Sacrament, work, we pray, the effects of its power in our hearts, that we may be made fit to receive your gift through this very gift itself. Through Christ our Lord
Meditation
To be begotten by God means being a child of God, and if you are a child of God, then you must live a holy life. This means that there should be no trace of sin in you. Holiness and sin are contradictory; they simply cannot dwell in the same person. If you sin, then you are not holy. Children of God do not sin, because God’s seed dwells in them; their lives are pleasing to God, and they love their brothers and sisters. This seed which makes them holy is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The true child of God is therefore the one in whom Jesus Christ dwells, the one who lives with Christ and for Christ. Make Jesus your Rabbi, your Teacher. Follow him and live with him. Take your brother, your sister, your child and your friend to him. He is the way to holiness; he is the one who can free you from sin and make you a child of God
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 2, 2019 | Evangelium
Christmas Weekday/ Holy Name of Jesus, St. Genevieve
St. Genevieve was born about the year 422, at Nanterre near Paris. The life of St. Genevieve was one of great austerity, constant prayer, and works of charity. She died in the year 512.
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Jn 1: 1
In the beginning and before all ages, the Word was God and he humbled himself to be born the Saviour of the world.
Collect
O God, who by the Nativity of your Only Begotten Son wondrously began for your people the work of redemption, grant, we pray, to your servants such firmness of faith, that by his guidance they may attain the glorious prize you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : 1 John 2:29-3:6
You know that God is righteous –then you must recognise that everyone whose life is righteous has been begotten by him. Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is. Surely everyone who entertains this hope must purify himself, must try to be as pure as Christ. Anyone who sins at all breaks the law, because to sin is to break the law. Now you know that he appeared in order to abolish sin, and that in him there is no sin; anyone who lives in God does not sin, and anyone who sins has never seen him or known him.
Psalm 97 (98) :1, 3-6
R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
1. Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm, have brought salvation.
2. All the ends of the earth have seen, the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
3. Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp, with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn, acclaim the King, the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 1:14, 12
Alleluia, alleluia!A hallowed day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, worship the Lord, for today a great light has shone down upon the earth. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:29-34
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive our oblation, O Lord, by which is brought about a glorious exchange, that, by offering what you have given, we may merit to receive your very self. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Jn 3: 16
God so loved the world that he gave his Only Begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, by the power of these holy mysteries, our life may be constantly sustained. Through Christ our Lord
Meditation
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are invited to meditate on his identity. Who is this Jesus, on whose account we indulge in so much celebration? John the Baptist gives us three elements of the identity of Jesus. First, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the one who is sacrificed in order for our sins to be washed away. Second, Jesus has always existed, which means that he is more than just a human being; he is God. Third, Jesus is the one on whom the Holy Spirit dwells, and who baptises with the Holy Spirit. He is filled with the Spirit of God, and he gives us this Spirit, who makes us children of God like him. The Lamb of God, who has always existed, and who brings the Spirit of divine sonship – that is the person whose birth we celebrate. What should be our attitude towards him? Nothing short of total surrender.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Jan 1, 2019 | Evangelium
Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, (330 – 379) bishops, doctors
Basil became bishop of Caesarea in 370. He fought against the Arians and was generous to the poor. Nazianzen was elected Bishop of Constantinople in 381 where he died on 25 January 389. He is known as “Gregory the Theologian” in honour of his learning and eloquence
White
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Sir 44: 15, 14
Let the peoples recount the wisdom of the Saints, and let the Church proclaim their praise. Their names will live on and on.
Collect
O God, who were pleased to give light to your Church by the example and teaching of the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory, grant, we pray, that in humility we may learn your truth and practice it faithfully in charity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First reading: 1 John 2:22-28
The man who denies that Jesus is the Christ – he is the liar, he is Antichrist; and he is denying the Father as well as the Son, because no one who has the Father can deny the Son, and to acknowledge the Son is to have the Father as well. Keep alive in yourselves what you were taught in the beginning: as long as what you were taught in the beginning is alive in you, you will live in the Son and in the Father; and what is promised to you by his own promise id eternal life. This is all that I am writing to you about the people who are trying to lead you astray. But you have not lost the anointing that he gave you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; the anointing he gave teaches you everything; you are anointed with truth, not with a lie, and as it has taught you, so you must stay in him. Live in Christ, then, my children, so that if he appears, we may have full confidence, and not turn from him in shame at his coming.
Psalm 97 (98) :1-4
R/ All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
1. Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm, have brought salvation.
2. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love, for the house of Israel.
3. All the ends of the earth have seen, the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 23:9, 10
Alleluia, alleluia! You have only one Father, and he is in heaven; you have only one Teacher, the Christ. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:19-28
This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied: a voice that cries in the wilderness: Make a straight way for the Lord.’ Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept this sacrifice from your people, we pray, O Lord, and make what is offered for your glory, in honour of Saints Basil and Gregory, a means to our eternal salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 1 Cor 1: 23-24
We proclaim Christ crucified; Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Prayer after Communion
May partaking at the heavenly table, almighty God, confirm and increase strength from on high in all who celebrate the feast day of Saints Basil and Gregory, that we may preserve in integrity the gift of faith and walk in the path of salvation you trace for us. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In the first reading,St. John thus gives a simple and clear definition of the anti-Christ; the anti-Christ is anyone who does not acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ. Our Christian faith is founded on the person and teaching of Jesus; we believe that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the one anointed and sent by God to redeem us by his death and his resurrection, and we live in him by obeying his commandments. It is by doing these things that we can inherit the eternal life he has promised. Let us renew our faith in Jesus Christ, whose birth we are celebrating. Let us make a straight way for him in our hearts by amending our ways and embracing his teaching. And let us, like John the Baptist, point him out to those around us, so that they too may come to know and believe in him.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh Basebang | Dec 31, 2018 | Evangelium
MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
SOLEMNITY/ WORLD DAY OF PEACE
From antiquity, Mary has been called “Theotokos”, or “God-Bearer”. The word in Greek is “Theotokos”. The term was used as part of the popular piety of the early first millennium church
White
Entrance Antiphon
Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King, who rules heaven and earth forever.
Collect
O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27
The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Say this to Aaron and his sons: “This is how you are to bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.” This is how they are to call down my name of the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.’
Psalm 66 (67) :2-3.5.6.8
R/ O God, be gracious and bless us.
1. O God be gracious and bless us, and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth, and all nations learn your saving help.
2. Let the nations be glad and exult, for you rule the world with justice. With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth.
3. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all peoples praise you. May God still give us his blessing, till the ends of the earth revere him.
Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, ‘Abba, Father,’ and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave anymore; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir.
Gospel Acclamation: Heb1:1-2
Alleluia, alleluia!At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told. When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who in your kindness begin all good things and bring them to fulfilment, grant to us, who find joy in the Solemnity of the holy Mother of God, that, just as we glory in the beginnings of your grace, so one day we may rejoice in its completion. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Heb 13: 8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
We have received this heavenly Sacrament with joy, O Lord: grant, we pray, that it may lead us to eternal life, for we rejoice to proclaim the blessed ever-Virgin Mary Mother of your Son and Mother of the Church. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today, we celebrate the divine motherhood of Mary; Mary is the mother of God, Theotokos, because she is the mother of Jesus, who is true God and true Man. She carried God’s Son in her womb and gave him to the world on Christmas Day. We too can become “mothers” of God by carrying Jesus in our hearts, by letting him live in us, and by giving him to the world through words and actions that are inspired by his Word. Mary teaches us how to do that; she treasured all that was said about Jesus and pondered it in her heart. In the same way, we should ponder the Word of God in our hearts everyday; we should meditate on it and let it guide our thoughts, words and deeds. In this way, Jesus will dwell in us and through us people will know him.
